Goodbye Skype: Microsoft Says Farewell in May 2025

Microsoft has officially announced that it will retire Skype in May 2025, bringing the app’s two-decade run to an end. If you've been using Skype for free video calls, messaging, or even for work, now's the time to start preparing for what's next.

But before you panic, Microsoft isn’t just pulling the plug without offering a replacement. They're pointing users toward Microsoft Teams Free, a more modern app with all the essential Skype features plus extras like file sharing, more organized chats, and better integration with other Microsoft tools. And the good news? You don’t have to start from scratch. Just sign in to Teams using your Skype login, and your existing contacts and messages will come with you. If you forget, don’t worry, Skype will show a reminder to help guide you through the switch.

If Teams Free doesn’t sound like your thing, you can still export your Skype data manually before the service shuts down. That way, your conversations won’t disappear for good.

For users who rely on Skype for international calls or have a Skype Number, those services will stay active until April 3, 2025. After that, you can still access the Dial Pad through the Skype web portal or Teams Free, but subscriptions will no longer renew. New customers won’t be able to sign up for Skype Credit or any of the paid calling features after this announcement.

Worth noting: Skype for Business is not affected by this change, so companies using it don’t need to worry for now.

Skype has been a communication staple since the early 2000s, helping people connect across the world. But with so many newer platforms taking the lead, it's no surprise Microsoft is choosing to focus on Teams going forward.

(via Microsoft)